Myanmar bar flyer with Buddha image leads to arrest of three

A New Zealander and two Burmese men have been arrested in Myanmar for hurting religious sentiments of Buddhists, after they used the image of Buddha with headphones on an online flyer to promote a drinks event at their bar.

According to the BBC, the image triggered an angry response online shortly after it appeared on the bar's Facebook page.

The three accused are facing up to two years in jail for insulting Buddhism.

The bar's general manager Philip Blackwood, 32, owner Tun Thurein, 40, and manager Htut Ko Ko Lwin, 26, were detained by the police on Wednesday and their bar was shut down following their arrests.

An apology was issued online by the bar saying that the management's intention "was never to cause offense to anyone or toward any religious group".